Warriors Eliminated From Tournament

Despite having a 2-1 pool play record and the second best overall run differential of all 12 teams in the Chicagoland tournament (+26 runs), the Warriors were eliminated from the tournament this afternoon.

In our pool, three teams ended up with 2-1 records (Warriors, Palos and Frankfort). The next tie breaker is head-to-head play--in which all teams were even once again. (Palos beat Warriors; Warriors beat Frankfort; Frankfort beat Palos). The third tie breaker is total runs allowed for the tournament. Palos won that tie breaker with 14 runs allowed--while the Warriors allowed 17 runs in the tournament. Unfortunately, 14 runs turned out to be the magic number for advancement.

The Warriors needed some help from the other two pools to get an at large bid. The Warriors won the tie breakers against all the at-large teams in Grant Park's bracket. But, two of the 2-1 teams squeezed in ahead of the Warriors from the South Cicero bracket as South Cicero allowed just 11 runs and the Southside Hitmen allowed only 14 runs in the tournament.

So, the final four looks like this: Grant Park, South Cicero, Southside Hitmen and Palos. (The fifth ranked team was the Orland Park Warriors.)

The Warriors gave itself a chance by winning a doubleheader today. But, it was too little too late after several missed opportunities in the Palos opener. Hopefully, the team has learned from this experience and now has a better understanding of what it takes to advance in a tournament.

The Warriors will play again next Sunday in a doubleheader at Frankfort. The games will be played at the same facility that we played at today.

I hope everyone enjoys their Memorial Day. And, GO WARRIORS!

Warriors Sweep Doubleheader

CLICK HERE for team and individual statistics through Game #13.

The Warriors kept its tournament hopes alive by sweeping a doubleheader on Saturday at Commissioners Park in Frankfort.

The Warriors jumped out to an early lead after scoring four runs in the first inning against the Frankfort Eagles. Tim Prendergast doubled to deep leftfield to score two runs and Sam Marc lined a single into leftfield to score Tim.

Lance Cardinal held the Eagles scoreless through two innings. But, after yielding a double and two walks to start the third inning, the Warriors went to Jason Waner in relief. Later in the inning, Frankfort's #5 hitter hammered a home run to deep left-centerfield that carried an estimated 335 feet in the air to clear the fence--just missing my car by about 20 feet to the right. This three run homer gave the Eagles a 5-4 lead after three innings of play.

But, the Warriors scored six runs in the top of the fourth inning to regain the lead. Once again, Tim Prendergast slammed a deep fly ball to centerfield--this time for a triple. And, Sam Marc again lined a single to leftfield to score Tim. Sam would end up with four hits and five RBI in the ballgame.

The Warriors scored nine more runs before the game ended. C.J. Brucki hit the first home run of the season for the Warriors in the final inning of play.

WARRIORS: 19 runs, 15 hits, 2 errors, 8 left on base

FRANKFORT: 10 runs, 9 hits, 1 error, 8 men left on base

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The Warriors once again jumped out to an early lead against the Midlothian Thunder--scoring six runs on six hits in the first inning. The Warriors scored 15 more runs in the next two innings--and went on to beat the Thunder 22-4 in five innings of play before the slaughter rule was invoked.

Notable hitting achievements included Tim Prendergast with two doubles and a single; Sam Marc with two more hits; C.J. Brucki with a double and a triple; Lance Cardinal with two base hits; and Ryan Knightly with two hits and a walk.

Tyler Knight pitched four impressive innings. He walked one hitter while striking out eight batters. Tyler struck out the side in the third and fourth innings.

MIDLOTHIAN: 4 runs, 4 hits, 1 errors, 2 left on base

WARRIORS: 22 runs, 19 hits, 1 error, 4 left on base

Palos Holds On to Beat Warriors 3-2

CLICK HERE for team and individual statistics through Game #11.

Palos defeated the Warriors by a score of 3-2 in the opening round of the Chicagoland Metro League tournament.

Ryan Novak was the Warriors starting pitcher. He struck out seven hitters and allowed just one run in his four innings of work.

The Warriors scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when Paco Lauciello lined a single to centerfield to score Robbie Maxfield. Palos tied the game in the top of the fourth on a single to deep centerfield in which C.J. Brucki threw the batter out when he attempted to stretch the single into a double.

Palos scored two runs in the fifth inning after two outs on a ground ball to the right side of the infield. The Warriors scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning when Paco Lauciello grounded out to first to score Ryan Tannebaum.

Tim Prendergast held Palos scoreless in the final two innings of play. Tim struck out eight hitters in his three innings of work.

The Warriors had another opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ryan Novak started the inning with a single to centerfield. With one out, both C.J. Brucki and Jack Lebert bunted for hits down the third base line. But, with the bases loaded and one out, the game ended on consecutive strikeouts.

PALOS: 3 runs, 6 hits, 1 error, 6 left on base
WARRIORS: 2 runs, 9 hits, 0 errors, 9 left on base

Hitmen Rally Late to Top Warriors

CLICK HERE for team and player statistics through Game #10.

The Southside Hitmen scored six runs in the final two innings of play to top the Warriors by a score of 8-3 at Centennial Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Warriors jumped out to an early lead after scoring three runs in the first inning on just one hit. The Warriors drew four walks in the inning. But, a scoring opportunity was wasted when the Warriors failed to score again with the bases loaded with one out.

Lance Cardinal was the Warriors' starting pitcher. He held the Hitmen scoreless through three innings and did not allow a hit. Lance struck out five and walked two in this outing.

The Warriors had only one hitter reach base in the next three innings when Sam Marc walked in the bottom of the third inning. The Southside Hitmen started chipping away at the lead after scoring one run in the top of the fourth inning on three consecutive hits and another run in the top of the fifth inning on back-to-back doubles. The Warriors held a one run lead as the game moved into the top of the sixth inning.

The Hitmen rallied in the sixth after two outs. Southside then scored three runs on three his to take a two run lead. The Warriors threatened in the bottom of the frame after Jason Waner and Paco Lauciello started the inning with base hits. But, the Hitmen then struck out the side to end the inning.

The Hitmen scored three insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning on three more hits and two infield errors. Tyler Knight made his Warriors' pitching debut--entering the game with one out. He retired the last two hitters without allowing a run. Jack Lebert started the bottom of the seventh inning with a double to deep leftfield. But, the Warriors once again went down with three strikeouts to end the inning.

SOUTHSIDE HITMEN: 8 runs, 11 hits, 0 errors, 8 left on base

WARRIORS: 3 runs, 5 hits, 3 errors, 8 left on base

Warriors Add a Player to Its Roster

The Warriors added a player to its roster this morning. For much of the season, the team hoped to get by with an 12 man roster. The smaller roster provides more playing time for each player. However, given some upcoming scheduling conflicts for a few players, the team will not have enough players to compete in every scheduled game. The Memorial Weekend tournament, for example, requires a minimum of ten players--and we had just nine players available for the opening day of that first tournament. Of course, we are always at risk of unanticipated absences (such as with injuries).

So, the Warriors are pleased to announce that Tyler Knight has joined the team this morning. Tyler accepted an alternate roster spot--and is expected to play in games as needed for the remainder of the season. We expect Tyler to be a valuable addition to the team.

Warriors 17, Darien 3

CLICK HERE for team and individual statistics through Game #9.

The Warriors pounded out 13 hits and 12 runs in the final two innings of play to defeat Darien Demons by a score of 17-3 at Centennial Park.

The Demons took the early lead in the first inning after the lead-off hitter doubled to rightfield and later scored on a tapper back to the mound. Paco Lauciello threw a runner out attempting to steal second base--which minimized the damage and slowed Darien's running game for a few innings.

The Warriors failed to score in the bottom of the frame despite drawing two walks to start the inning after a runner was picked off second base followed by two infield pop outs.

Darien extended its lead in the top of the second inning after three consecutive hits. Once again, Paco Lauciello threw out a runner attempting to steal--and Ryan Novak struck out the lead-off man as Darien left two stranded to end the inning.

The Warriors had five consecutive hits to start the second inning and scored four runs to grab the lead. The Warriors would never trail again in this one.

Ryan Novak retired Darien quickly in the top of the third inning with a pop up and two strikeouts. The Warriors scored just one run in the bottom of the frame despite two hit batsmen and a walk. The Warriors were retired on three pop ups to the first baseman in the inning.

Darien scored again in the fourth inning after the lead-off hitter walked and scored on a base hit to rightfield. C.J. Brucki retired another Darien runner on a steal attempt. The Warriors failed to score in the bottom of the frame as the inning ended on a line drive double play to the first baseman.

Tim Prendergast struck out three Darien hitters in the fifth inning. The Warriors broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth with seven runs on six hits. Paco Lauciello doubled to deep leftfield to drive home two runs. And, Ryan Novak lined a single into leftfield to score another run. Ryan had three hits and 4 RBI on the day. Lance Cardinal also had three hits and 3 RBI in the game.

Ryan Tannebaum pitched a flawless sixth inning before the Warriors offense exploded with another five runs in the bottom of the inning. The game ended as the mercy rule was applied after six innings of play.

DARIEN: 3 runs, 5 hits, 2 errors, 6 left on base
WARRIORS: 17 runs, 20 hits, 2 errors, 10 left on base

Warriors 12, Barons 1

CLICK HERE to view the team and individual statistics through Game #8

C.J. Brucki with 3 extra base hits

The Warriors beat the Burr Ridge Barons by a score of 12-1 in seven innings on Mother's Day. The Warriors jumped out with an early lead after scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. C.J. Brucki smashed the first of his three consecutive extra base hits with a double to deep left-centerfield. He later scored on a base hit by Jason Waner. Ryan Novak hit a sacrifice fly to leftfield to score Jason. The Barons scored a run in the bottom of the frame after the lead off hitter singled to centerfield and later scored on a ground out to the second baseman.

The Warriors scored four runs in the top of the third inning. Ryan Tannebaum took a fastball in the back to get the rally started with a hit batsman. Sam Marc and Paco Lauciello both reached base on infield errors. C.J. Brucki then drove home two runs with a triple to deep rightfield. C.J. later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jason Waner.

Jason Waner held the Barons scoreless in the bottom of the second and third innings. In the bottom of the second inning, Ryan Novak killed a Burr Ridge rally by hustling to back up first base from his rightfield position. When the ball was thrown past the first baseman, Ryan was there to field the ball and throw the advancing runner out at second base. The Warriors would go onto retire five Burr Ridge runners attempting to advance to an extra base!

The Barons did not score in the remaining four innings of the game as four different Warriors' pitchers threw shutout innings: Ryan Tannebaum, Jim Robley, Sam Marc and Robbie Maxfield.

The Warriors scored four more times in the top of the fifth inning. Paco Lauciello singled and scored on another extra base hit by C.J. Brucki. Tim Prendergast singled to centerfield to drive in two runs. Ryan Novak and Jack Lebert also had base hits in the inning.

The Warriors scored one run in the final inning of play when Ryan Tannebaum singled and later scored. Sam Marc also singled to rightfield in the inning.

WARRIORS: 12 runs, 11 hits, 2 errors, 5 left on base

BURR RIDGE: 1 run, 7 hits, 2 errors, 8 left on base

Time of Game: 1 hour, 50 minutes

Warriors Compete in OYA Pony Baseball

For the next six weeks, most of the Warriors' players baseball experience takes place within the OYA Pony League. OYA Pony baseball provides our players with an extra 16 to 20 games in the season. Every Pony team has at least one Warriors player. Most teams have two or three on the roster.

Earlier this evening, two Warriors players pitched at Centennial Park for the Diamondbacks in a game against the Phillies. I happened to be at the park with my camera and captured some photos of Robbie Maxfield and Tim Prendergast. CLICK on photo to view larger version of the image.

Robbie Maxfield (OYA Diamondbacks)

Tim Prendergast (OYA Diamondbacks)